The Best Lines From Big 12 Media Days

The Best Lines From Big 12 Media Days

If you’re real quiet you might even be able to hear the echoes of the two-day Big 12 Football Media Day in Arlington, Texas, and maybe even hear some analysis of what they were saying.

Work area and stage at Big 12 Media Days

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WVU first-year coach Neal Brown on walking in one of the nation’s toughest schedules with 11 games against FBS schools, one of four teams to face such a schedule.

“First of all, I knew what the schedule was when I took the job. When you look at the schedule it is what it is. We don’t talk to our players about it, kind of in a one-game mind-set.

“It’s a very challenging schedule. If you look at our future schedules, it’s challenging. I do think being where we fit geographically, it’s important for us to play natural rivals, the series with Pitt is coming up, we play Virginia Tech.

“Some of those type games make sense because it’s hard for our fan base to travel, you know, so those geographic games and natural rivalries, I think they’re important for us to play.”

If his dreams come true, the schedule will get even tougher if he can play in the Big 12 championship game and then go the playoffs.

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Commissioner Bob Bowlsby:

“Contrary to popular belief there are kids that tackle in the Big 12. Thank you for noting that.”

A snide remark taking offense at the media which portrays his conference as no defense. You might say he tackled the criticism.

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Veteran TCU coach Gary Patterson on coming back off a down season:

“TCU is ready to go. You gotta love the season, don’t you?”

No one doubts he’ll turn it around. Last year was 7-6. Was 6-7 in 2013, followed that with 11-3. Was 4-8 in 2013. Followed that with 11-1. You’ve been warned.

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Iowa State coach Matt Campbell on how he changed the losing culture in Ames:

“First step, it starts with belief. That has to come from inside. From Day 1 we tried to create belief. Then you have to have trust. Belief and trust are the two pillars of the program.”

Most coaches pay too much attention to Xs and Os, too little to character. They reside below .500.

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Commissioner Bob Bowlsby on the changing face of the way college football is being broadcasted today and will be presented tomorrow:

“Anybody that tells you they know what the future looks like three years from now or five years from now I think is delusional because the environment is changing so rapidly.”

I may actually have to learn how to use my smart phone. Me using a smart phone is like learning that Charlie McCarthy was the one doing the talking for Edgar Bergen.

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Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy on whether he approached his job at OSU at the start — a job he’s held 15 years — with the idea of building a culture or winning at all costs:

“I wasn’t smart enough to realize how difficult it was to develop a culture and I never worried about winning now. I don’t know if I would have been able to make some of the decisions that we feel like helped to establish a culture at Oklahoma State that’s benefited us for a number of years.

“The win at all costs theory has never crossed my mind. That’s not something personally I believe in. I believe in developing young men. I know at times there are coaches that might say that, but we back that up at Oklahoma State. We’re in that business right now.”

And if he wants to stay in that business, he better do what he did the last time he finished 7-6 as he did last year, and that’ win 10 games three straight seasons.

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Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley on winning the Big 12 his first two seasons as a head coach and coaching two straight Heisman Trophy winners:

“I try to remind myself what I would have done 10 years ago to be head coach at a place like Oklahoma. It’s a dream come true.”

Gee, all I dream about is growing my hair back.

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New Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells on what it shows him as he takes over a struggling football program after the basketball team went to the NCAA final before losing to Virginia, the baseball team went to the finals of the College World Series and the track team won the NCAA men’s championship.

”To see the success that we have had in basketball and baseball and track and field shows you can win in Lubbock. You can recruit to Lubbock, Texas,”

It’s a tough act to follow, though.

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Commissioner Bowlsby on WVU’s hire of Neal Brown as coach:

“Neal Brown is one of the coaches that I’ve been keeping an eye on. He is an outstanding young coach.”

With that sharp an eye, he ought to be able to find one of those athletic director jobs out there when he’s tired of dealing with Big 12 referees.

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TCU’s Gary Patterson says he has six quarterbacks battling for the starting job this year:

“I always found when you have a high competition level you generally end up with a better product and our competition level. They all get along but they all want to be the guy and I don’t think you want it any different than that.”

Sounds like the field going after the Democratic presidential nomination.

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Baylor coach Matt Ruhle, who took over two years ago a scandal ravaged team that would go 1-11 his first year, and has turned it around on and off the field:

“I’m proud of what our team has done in the off-season, record-setting GPAs, 839 hours of community engagement, four guys just finished a mission trip in South Africa and we are doing that while our guys are taking over 33 different majors. I’m proud of what the guys are doing in the community and in the classroom and very hopeful that will carry over this season as we take a step from a seven-win team to a team that has a chance to be in contention for the Big 12 Championship game in December.”

It was a big challenge and Ruhle’s performance facing it has been perfect.

The Best Lines From Big 12 Media Days Shusssshhh! If you’re real quiet you might even be able to hear the echoes of the two-day Big 12 Football Media[See the full post at: The Best Lines From Big 12 Media Days]

“I always found when you have a high competition level you generally end up with a better product and our competition level. They all get along but they all want to be the guy and I don’t think you want it any different than that.”

“Sounds like the field going after the Democratic presidential nomination.”